I was reading this excellent article recently in Country Living magazine online about making your own crafts to give as gifts and I think it was brilliant as it covered all skill levels including mine, lazy intermediate. Truth is, while I love to craft I just haven't made the time for it lately with the exception of this winter yarn wreath for my door. Within the past year I've made hand painted gift tags, mini paintings, and bird mobiles out of wood and paper and have gifted some of them to friends. Here are a few views of my craft work below.
And from Country Living, I really loved their spotlight on making crafty brooch magnets for the fridge (instructions here) and cinnamon stick candles along with this pretty lapel pin and these vintage card wallets, all four ideas are fun and creative and would be beautiful to give to your friends — especially if you already have bits and pieces laying idle in your craft bin looking to be used and loved. Go for it — why not DIY it when it comes to gifts?
What will you make by hand this season? If you have photos of your work, please link them in your comments below!
(images: top cluster: holly becker, bottom: country living)
I just found this article through Decor8 and just wanted to say that these are really fun ideas! I’ll probably opt to make this year’s presents to save some money. Now it’s just a matter of actually sitting down and doing them. Thanks for the tips!
I’m giving personalized letterpress notes for the second year in a row (everyone asked for them again!)
Making your own gifts .. nothing is better. I am a firm believer in giving handmade (for those who feel they can’t or do not have time), at least try and buy handmade it makes the holiday season so much more personal. Isn’t that what it is all about?
For myself (someone who works with her hands daily) I make a huge variety of gifts, some take a few minutes to an hour, some a lot longer. It can be anything from felted accessories, silver jewelry or something as simple as homemade jams and jellies.
My children this year will be making simple gifts out of fabric covered buttons (see tutorial on my blog) as well as christmas tree decorations with their photos on them to send to grandparents etc…
The handmade movement rocks!.. because think about it.- the holidays are not about buying impersonal things for the people we love!
Happy Holidays everyone!
Cynthia
in Norway
http://cynthiareynolds.wordpress.com/
It always makes me a bit sad, because most of my fam wouldn’t like to receive crafty handmade gifts. And I recognize that my sewing skills simply aren’t up to par to make a project giftable.
BUT, I have a huge list of family members that give me gifts, and it’s simply not viable to buy something for every one of them. Instead, I buy for my immediate family (hubby, our parents, grandparents and sibling). And the rest receive my homemade chocolate truffles in cookie tins.
Last year I made jars of caramel sauce that were very well received. This year we’re not going home for Christmas, so I’m looking at easier things to ship. Top of my list has the eco-friendly and stylish homemade cloth napkins. I’m also looking at some felt books for the kids in the family like this one I made for my niece.
I love the idea of making presents, but my finished products never look as good as I had planned. =( hahaha! I recently ordered a sewing machine, and even though I’ve never sewed a darn thing, I’m thinking of sewing some of my gifts. THAT ought to be interesting! =)
I love painting watercolors for my friends for Christmas!!
It makes it more meaningful ~~
I made a wreath for my mantle this weekend, very similar to the one I made from bags many years ago in girls scouts. Except, this time I used more grown up materials. (scrap unbleached linen, khaki twill, white cotton, vintage lace, wool felt) I’m going to make one for my mom, and it’ll remind her of the one I made when I was 9. She will love it of course, because she’s my mom. Here’s a link and mini tutorial…
http://lindsaybrackeen.blogspot.com/2009/12/holiday-mantle.html
These are wonderful ideas! Simple, yet personal and do-able. http://blog.sweetservices.com/sweetscandyblog/
For my sister I am making a nice little evening purse w/ a peacock motif, using pearls, glass beads and a peacock feather pad I bought on Etsy. Don’t ‘cha just love Etsy! Wish me luck as I learning to do beading work, but so far, so good and a ton of fun!
So glad to hear that!
That’s good ideas!
Nothing is better then made cards for your friends.
http://ikoplus.etsy.com/
http://ikoplus.com/
I’m making framed monogram fabric-cut letters w/ the letter of their last name. I found wonderful flat keys at Michaels Craft Store and I hot-glue them on there as well. It’s kind of a way to celebrate their homes & family. My blog has a link to what they look like:
http://razzlerobyn.blogspot.com/
I’ve made a total of 10 of them for my girlfriends this year. The only cost is the fabric (inexpensive) and 8.5 x 11 frame, usually about $10. Great gifts that mean something:)
-Robyn
I make many things myself. Yesterday, I made those little felt plushes
http://lastucealoreille.unblog.fr/2009/12/14/diy-felt-plushes-peluche-en-feutrine/
But I also made those mini-calendars :
http://lastucealoreille.unblog.fr/2009/12/02/diy-xmas-gift-2010-calendar/
And sometimes, I can make furniture ! Like this library :
http://lastucealoreille.unblog.fr/2009/11/16/bibliotheque-design-etpas-chere/
The neighbors got decorated tins w/3 different kinds of homemade Christmas cookies, friends are getting yarn wreaths, little niece is getting a bedroom makeover w/different things I’ve sewn and also a few items of clothing. Fun stuff!